Water in trunk on top of tail lights - source found.

[texas993]

Just an FYI and something to look out for...

When I washed my car, I noticed some condensation inside of the tail lights. In looking for the source of the leak, I found a small amount of water on top of the tail lights inside the trunk. At first, I diagnosed it on old tail light seals and replaced both sides ($24 each side). When I removed the old seals, they were just fine - pliable and soft.

Yesterday I washed my car again and found water in the same spots. I determined that it was coming from the bolts on the trunk alignment tabs. Clearly the gasket has aged and is leaking. I'll replace those next.

Leak is getting past this and dropping onto the top of the tail light.


Picture is fuzzy, but there is a droplet of water on the bolt.


Water pooling on top of tail light.


Fortunately, there was no long term moisture in my trunk and no rust. Keep your eyes out for water!

 

[gsxr]

The trunk bump stops are often fossilized by now, and require replacement. I'd replace both the ones on the body, and the ones on the trunk lid as well. They are spendy boogers, I've replaced them on most of my 124's:

124-758-00-44 = trunk bump stop on lid
124-758-01-44 = trunk bump stop on body

However, I didn't realize they could also cause a water leak! That is very interesting... thanks for the info!

 

[gerryvz]

The Derf did a totally bitchin' HOW-TO on this procedure.

http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?978-HOW-TO-Remove-amp-Replace-Trunk-Lid-Stops

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[texas993]

Thanks guys. Ordering parts.

 

[texas993]

Drove my E300D to Austin and back this week. (Also a great road car with >30mpg). On the way down I was dealing with rain most of the 200 mile trip. Today I took the car to the car wash and checked the tops of the taillights for water leaks from the trunk stops. Sure enough, there was a tablespoon of water on top of each taillight with droplets on the bolts of the trunk stops. I need to replace those too!

On my E300D I attend to the mechanicals 100%, but generally don't worry about cosmetics. It will soon become my 16 year old son's car and there isn't any real point to keeping it mint. And it is parked outside. So even $50 worth of trunk bump stops is irritating. But it is a whole lot less irritating than rust or mold in the trunk!

 

[gerryvz]

So it's confirmed that the trunk bump stops are the cause of the water down there & on the taillights?

 

[texas993]

So it's confirmed that the trunk bump stops are the cause of the water down there & on the taillights?

Yes, on both cars. I thoroughly examined the trunk seals and even replaced the taillight seals on the 500. Fortunately it is just a few drips that stays on the top of the taillight. No indication of water or rust anywhere else in trunk on either car.